The fundamental first step for any kind of event planning is determining the type of event it is. If you're planning a business event, is it an internal function for the employees? Is it a team-building event, training session, a party or award ceremony? If it is an external event, do you need to organize a system to register people? Is it a conference, an informal networking event, or a social event?
Once you know what sort of event you are organizing, you should take a look at your audience. For internal business events involving the employees, you'll probably have a good idea of what they should be interested in. Plus, if you can speak to them firsthand, this always helps clarify your ideas. Is it going to be a causal event or something more formal? After you have an understanding of who the attendees will be, you can make decisions regarding important aspects such as the venue, food, and any entertainment.
